Joseph Hof was born in Peoria, Ill. His brother was John William Hof born about 1863, although 1865 in other places. I believe John was the elder brother. Their father was Joseph William Hof, not born in New York but in Bayern, Germany in 1819, I believe. There is an 1880 census record for Joseph Hof, age 61, born 1819, widower, born in Bavaria with one son Joseph age 15. My ancestor is John William Hof.